(ABC 6 News) — The owners of Anderson Farms are speaking out against their dogs being taken from their property back in February.

15 dogs were seized from the Le Roy farm dog breeding operation over concerns that the dogs were being malnourished and living in kennels with urine and feces, according to court documents.

The animals were taken to the Animal Humane Society in Golden Valley for rehabilitation.

Elham Alayyoub, 45, and Donald Anderson, 89, the owners of the farm, were each charged with 3 misdemeanor charges of overwork/mistreat animals–torture; 3 charges of overwork/mistreat animals–deprive of food or shelter; and 3 charges of overwork/mistreat animals–cruelty.

It’s a trial they are trying to avoid.

Fillmore County Attorney Brett Corson said some cases are “continued for dismissal,” or the attorneys argue for a stayed conviction on certain conditions.

“During a criminal case it’s quite normal to enter into negotiations to see if there can be a resolution short of trial, so I would say just like in any other case, we’re making efforts to see if the matter can be resolved,” Corson said.

Andersons said they’re shocked by what happened after they reached out for help, saying two of their dog died from what they believed was poisoning.

“I opened my farm, my kennel, everything, because I was seeking for help,” Alayyoub said.

The couple maintains they believe the dogs died from poisoning, and said their kennels were mud-covered because they were afraid leaving them out at night would result in further issues.

“I think every dog owner experiences this,” Alayyoub said. “When they go outside to relieve themselves, the minute they come inside, especially when they walk in the mud, they spread the mud.”

A judge ruled on April 30 that the couple would not be getting the dogs back.

14 of the dogs were adopted out, but one, named Smokey, had to be put down because he was showing signs of aggression, according to the Humane Society.

“He wasn’t just scared of the situation and just when you approached him he’d back off, or back into a corner, may snap, or aggress or growl, he was actually actively coming at staff,” Dr. Graham Brayshaw, Chief Medical Officer from the Animal Humane Society, said.

But the Anderson couple said that when Smokey was in their possession he was the only dog that was allowed in their room and was not aggressive.

“He was always in the house, always,” Anderson said. “Every hour — he was never a part of the outside.”